Sweet Treats and Other Presidents' Weekend Getaways

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Bryan Bedder / Getty

Brooke Shields with a Godiva chocolate statue.

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Marching Orders. The most extravagant of the week's offerings celebrates Mardi Gras season in New Orleans. The Ritz Carlton has the "Lundi Gras Ride of a Lifetime" with the chance to ride in the Feb. 23 parade. You'll stay in a first-class suite, with costumes provided and a personal photographer to record the day, plus a limo driver on hand all weekend. It costs a sweet $25,000 clams. Or you can swap the parade, and its trappings, for a massage and a traditional New Orleans king cake served at turndown, for a comparatively modest $699 per night. Available Feb 22-24.921 Canal St, New Orleans; 504-524-1331

Easier on the Wallet. Or dial it down a bit and celebrate at the New Orleans Marriott. They still have the champagne, strawberries and chocolate, but rates begin at $139 per night. Just mention promotional code ROM. 555 Canal St., New Orleans; 504-581-1000

Presidential Perk. For history buffs who want to observe President's Day in style, the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston offers up tickets to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Rates start at $339, offer good through April 30. 138 St. James Ave, Boston; 800-444-1414

Mend Your Heart. And for those of you nursing a broken heart, the "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, But I'll Get Over Him" at the Avenue Inn B & B gives you three nights' accommodation for you and a friend, along with two pints of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, a voo-doo doll and a copy of He's Just Not that Into You, so you can avoid tragic mistakes in the future. Get back on the horse with a New Orleans Cocktail Tour, and recover the next day with a massage at a local day-spa. $369 per person for three nights. 4125 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, 504-269-2640

Ski Dating. If you're ready to plunge back into the dating pool, and you're an avid skier, try Whitney's Inn in Jackson, NH. They're playing cupid with Black Mountain's annual Chairlift Speed Dating event. You get a ticket to the event, and dinner at the Shovel Handle Pub with your new friend and breakfast the next morning. $449 for two nights.357 Black Mountain Rd, Jackson, NH; 800-677-5737

Canine Comfort. If you've given up on human companionship, you can take your dog up to central New Hampshire and visit the Lazy Dog Inn, where there are plenty of cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing trails to explore. Plus you can watch sled dog races. There's also doggie day care if you meet someone special and want to head out on the town. Starting at $90 per night.201 White Mtn Hghwy, Chocorua, NH; 888-323-8350

DINING

Aphrodisiacs. For the traditional lover's feast, you can't do better than the down-to-earth Flex Mussels on New York's Upper East Side, where the motto is "Grab, Eat, Repeat." John Bil, straight from Canada's Prince Edward Island, where the original Flex Mussels is located, mans the bar shucking 18 oysters in 90 seconds to give you a sampling of the shellfish from around the world, including rare wild oysters from a bed recently discovered off the coast of Maine. On Valentine's Day the restaurant is offering a 4-course menu with an oyster theme for $75, or $115 with wine pairings 174 E 82nd St.; 212-717-7772

Willie Wonka Style. Buy a $25 box of Godiva chocolates, and you may find a card giving you a night in a chocolate-covered suite created by Top Design's Jonathan Adler at New York's Bryant Park Hotel. The room are completely kitted out in chocolate — and I mean completely — from a chocolate mosaic wall, chocolate covered table, with chocolate candles and flowers, to a chocolate headboard on the bed. There's even an abstract painting done in dark, milk and white chocolate. No golden ticket in your box? Don't despair, there are 100 other winners out there who will get chocolate for year, delivered to their doorstep each month — along with a piece of Adler's tabletop collection.

Decadence. Famed French chocolatier, La Maison du Chocolate, has red jewel boxes of assorted chocolates, including passion fruit ganache and caramel fleur de sel, with just a hint of sea salt, starting at $15 for 4. 800-988-5632

Secret Chef. Having Valentine's dinner at home and want to spemd more time prepping yourself than the meal? The chef at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach comes to your rescue packing up a four-course meal of seafood and filet mignon —plus a bottle of champagne— to go. He's even thoughtfully included chocolate croissants for breakfast. $150 for two. 100 South Ocean Blvd, Manalapan, FL; 561-540-4924

Losing the Bloom. Flowers not your style? Try the New York Burger Company's "Burger Bouquet," a sample size box of three mini-burgers, homemade potato chips and a brownie for $25. Deliveries go out in the city between 11am and 8pm. 212-229-1404, or 212-254-2727

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Art Appreciation. New York's MoMA offers a private guided tour with an expert. The hour-long "Tours for Two" take place after the galleries are closed to the public, and run each Saturday in February starting at 5:30 p.m. Stick around afterwards and have dinner at Danny Meyer's Modern restaurant, where the duck confit can't be beat. The tours are $200, but members get $25 off this price. Feb 7, 14, 21 and 28. 11 West 53rd St.; 212-708-9685 groupservices@moma.org

SHOPPING & SERVICES

Shangri-Spa. At Peninsula Hotel, a couple can book the private spa suite for a 4-hour treatment that includes a private yoga class. You're greeted with a tea ceremony and ginger foot scrub, then move onto a rose petal bath in the double soaking tub, side-by-side massages, a private steam room and champagne, fresh fruit and Jacques Torres chocolate. $1,425 for the package. 700 Fifth Ave at 55th St., 212-956-2888

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